| Former names | Abu Dhabi Falcons (until 2024)[1] |
|---|---|
| City | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Stadium | The Sevens Stadium |
| Established | 2023 |
| League champs | 1 (2025) |
| League | Baseball United |
| Colors | Aquamarine, teal, black and white |
| Manager | Dennis Cook |
| General manager | Nick Swisher |
The Mid East Falcons are a professional baseball team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are one of four inaugural franchises of Baseball United, a professional baseball organization with teams based in the Middle East and South Asia.[2]
Established as the Abu Dhabi Falcons, the team rebranded to its current name in March 2024, after Baseball United held its first "all-star" exhibition series.[3] The Falcons debuted in Baseball United's UAE Series, an exhibition tournament held in February 2025; the team lost all three games in the series to the Arabia Wolves.[4]
Two of the roster spots on the team's inaugural season were selected through a Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) reality show called Tryout: Plan D. The two winning players will be officially unveiled as members of the Mid East Falcons before their game against the Karachi Monarchs on November 19, 2025.[5] In its inaugural season, the team will also include two active players from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars organization of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing developmental winter ball in Dubai.[6]
In 2025, the Falcons won the inaugural United Series championship. Second baseman Munenori Kawasaki was named the most valuable player of the series.
Draft
The first Baseball United Draft took place on October 23, 2023, with all four franchises making selections. The Abu Dhabi Falcons used its 4th and 5th overall selections in the first round to pick former Major League Baseball infielders Pablo Sandoval and Alex Liddi.[7][8]
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Pablo Sandoval | Infielder |
| 1 | 5 | Alex Liddi | Infielder |
| 2 | 11 | Dillon Thomas | Outfielder |
| 2 | 14 | André Rienzo | Pitcher |
| 3 | 18 | Gabriel Guerrero | Outfielder |
| 3 | 23 | Alejandro De Aza | Outfielder |
| 4 | 25 | Konsta Kurikka | Pitcher |
| 4 | 32 | J. D. Hammer | Pitcher |
| 5 | 36 | Severino González | Pitcher |
| 5 | 37 | Rusney Castillo | Outfielder |
| 6 | 43 | Mitch Lively | Pitcher |
| 6 | 46 | Jhoan Urena | Infielder |
| 7 | 50 | Sam Abbott | First baseman / designated hitter |
| 7 | 55 | Alberto Mineo | Catcher |
| 8 | 57 | Mitch Piatnik | Second baseman |
| 8 | 64 | Leo Backstrom | Catcher / first baseman |
| 9 | 68 | Shungo Fukunaga | Pitcher |
| 9 | 69 | Luke Westphal | Pitcher |
| 10 | 75 | Matt Soren | Pitcher |
| 10 | 78 | Federico Celli | Catcher |
References
- ^ "Baseball United rebrands to expand reach of Middle East franchises". Arab News. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ^ "Home | Baseball United". BaseballUnited.com. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ "Baseball United Expands Reach of its Middle East Franchises". Baseball United. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "‘Couldn’t have scripted it better’ — Baseball United chief’s pride after record UAE Series attendance and viewing". Arab News. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "Baseball United teams up with TBS for new reality series ‘TRYOUT: PLAN D’". Sports Mint Media. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "The Mid East Falcons Announce Inaugural Roster for 2025 Baseball United Season". World Baseball Network. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "Robinson Cano, Pablo Sandoval, and more former MLB stars join budding new baseball league". USA TODAY. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "Baseball United Holds First-Ever Draft; Four Teams Make Selections For 2024 Season". World Baseball Network. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2025.